Tuesday Lunch

Tuesday lunch is a weekly lunch date with my mom, sister and nephew Adam. It's a great time for Adam and Walker to hang out with each other one on one. They are so cute together. I'm so happy that they are 6 months a part and will always have family close to their age.

This Tuesday we decided to go to Kemah. It was freezing! Colder than it has been in a long time. We went to the Aquarium and I was less than impress. Actually, I spent the day frustrated with our experience and the food quality. But the fish tanks were enjoyed by the boys so that made up for it.

Walking like a BIG BOY!

Adam always a foot step away from Walker, just in case. 

Fish!

"What's up ladies?"

Best Buds

Walker looks a little unsure of the blueness. 

I LOVE that Walker has his cousins. He has a different relationship with both, Adam and Isabella and they are so sweet to their "Baby Walkie" or "Wa Wa". 

First Egg Roll

From the beginning I have said that if Walker wants to try a drink or food that we are eating that we will let him. When we were given the diagnosis of Short Gut, better known as Short Bowel Syndrome, I read up and found that children have a lot of food difficulties. We've had to play with some types of food and see what works and what doesn't. Some foods tear up his stomach and he spends his days on the changing table and other times we take a mental note of the food that agrees with his body. We have also found that having a routine or specific foods daily also help with his tummy issues.

We haven't had Chinese food since Walker has been on table food, or maybe I have only offered rice, who knows? But we had take out the other night and he was willing to try it so I handed him half of an egg roll. I wasn't quite sure how he was going to like it. We haven't tried giving cabbage or lettuce before so I was shocked that he took so well to it.

"I'll just have a bite"

"Hmmm"

"What is this delicious concoction?"

"Crunch"

"Can't a man eat in peace, Momma?"

He polished off the other half happily and then another half. He's an eater and we are so thankful for that. 

Weekend Wrap Up

We had a busy weekend. Our lives are about to start getting busy again with Walker's appointments. At the beginning of April he had two appointments in the Med Center in the same week. Saturday we went to a birthday party for one of my very best friends. It was crazy and Walker was every where! He's really picked up with his walking and thinks he rules every rooster!

We had some down time before bath time and he was egging to go outside. He loves being outside! As soon as the sun or breeze hits his face, he has the biggest smile. He really likes his bike and going for walks.

 We also got this adorable cute onesie from Clucky Creations from our friends. It is perfect for Walker and I can't wait to put him in it!

Easter Bunny

I am rolling in delight having my baby home for the holidays. We thought for sure last year that Walker would be home in time for Easter, but he came home afterwards.

The day before we took Walker to see the Easter bunny I looked on the mall website to check out pricing. I caught a glimpse of him and was a little weary that Walker might get scared. I mean, I was a little scared. They need to spruce up the bunny and make him a little more friendly bunny-ish.

Wordless Wednesday

Use the couch to stand up

Start walking

Stumble a little

Get back up and walk Zombie style 

Try to bend down to pick up a toy but end up stumbling

Trying to stand up

A little more of trying to stand up 

Go buddy!

Taking off

Still going 

Chasing the woman with the camera

"I'll get you my pretty"

GOTCHA!

Here we go Weeble Wobble!

You got it!

Keep going!

Where'd you go?

Walker is determined to walk! He never gives up, ever. He is trying so hard these days to learn to stand up on his own. He is flipping and flopping all across the living room. Love that boy!

Reflecting

I have to stop today and write. I have to write it out to the world so that you all know how grateful we are to you. Walker's March of Dimes team has raised close to $700 in the very short days we have been campaigning. Our hearts are so full that people have taken the time to donate to such a great organization that helps prematurity.

Before getting pregnant I thought pregnancy would be easy. I would grow this big ol' belly and I would have this everlasting glow and I would feel the best that I have ever felt. I was completely wrong. My belly barely got the chance to grow, my glow was just starting, but I did feel the best that I had ever felt. I had great prenatal care. My doctor was great. I did every thing that I was supposed to. I even prepared myself for being 42 weeks pregnant, happily.  I followed all the rules. Unfortunately, that doesn't guarantee a full term pregnancy.

Having Walker as a micropreemie changed our lives. It changed anyone and everyone that knew me or knew Walker's story. This teeny tiny baby only weighing 1 pound 14 ounces was stronger than anyone could possibly imagine him to be. He taught me what the real meaning of having patience meant. He taught me how to stand still in the storm. He taught me what really matters. He lit a flame to my desire to be closer to God. He taught me the true meaning of "Let go and let God". I was no longer in control. It did not matter that I had followed all the rules that were laid out for me. This was Walker's battle that he had to win. I was simply his biggest cheerleader.

If there was anything that I could have done to prevent my early bird from coming, I would have tried it. We tried every thing to prevent him from coming at a mere 25 weeks. I was laying in a hospital bed hooked up to magnesium and flaming hot. I had shots administered left and right it seemed. I was laying in the bed with my feet above my head. I even went against my wishes of having an epidural only because they said it could delay labor. Any hour or second Walker waited was best for him.  We tried it all, but it was necessary for Walker to make his debut when he did.

We were lucky and we had a great support system. R and I both have huge families that rallied around us in our time of need. Our friends were always asking what they could do. My February Mom's were always there to listen. They wanted updates on Walker, and always were offering their hugs, prayers, thoughts, and sent many cards to us. Readers that I have never met left messages for us. Walker was on many prayer lists around the world. There was never a time where we didn't feel love.

So thank you. Thank you for all that you have done for us. For making us feel loved and supported through those grueling 6 months in the hospital and also for the wonderful almost one year mark that Walker has been home. You mean the world to us!


To donate to Walker's MOD team, please click  here. 

Happy St. Patty's Day

Our weather lately has been incredible! Sunday we spent St. Patty's Day by the pool at my parent's house.

Look how big my baby is!

Uncle J

Uncle Paul

When it got too hot we went inside for a little batting practice. Walker is in his diaper because my grandparent's like to keep the house H O T !

Batter up!

There you go, Walkie!

Swing batter batter, swing!

Whoa there!

 I asked Uncle J to please watch Walker for a minute while he was by the staircase. All I hear is "WHOA! H come look!"

He trucked it up those stairs! There are about 4 stairs below the first stair you see in the picture. 

And then he kept going.

 Walker ended his first St. Patty's Day at home by taking a walk with Papa, Nana, cousins Isabella and Adam.

A two seater wagon with three grandbabies. Tisk, tisk Papa and Nana.